Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22236, Thomas Farnsworth, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Farnworth, Thomas
S. 22 236
CONTENTS

95-33 Vermont 953.
Thomas Farnsworth
Windham in the State of Vermont who was a priv: in the company commanded by Captain Miles of the Regt commanded by Col. Dike in the Massachusetts line for 7 months
Died Aug 10, 1836
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of May 1833 Halifax and sent to Elizabethton Fayetteville Tenn. Bt applicant
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 46.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. - 11.66 1/2
$58.32 1/2
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk Book E. Vol. 6 - Page 64

State of Vermont Windham County } ss
On this 22 nd day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared before me Jas. L. Hanks Assistant Judge of Windham County Court Thomas Farnsworth a resident of Halifax in said County of Windham and State of Vermont aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he first enlisted under Capt. Edmund Berris of Westminster Mass. to serve for eight months in 1775 - previous to this in 1774 he enlisted as a minuteman under Capt. Noah Miles on the alarm being given of Lexington battle in Manchester Cambridge and he then & there enlisted under Capt. Berris as aforesaid obtained liberty to go home for some six or eight days and settle his affairs on his return was taken sick at Lancaster and was detained near six weeks. Dr. Wilder who had the care of him said he was not sound enough to join the Camp, and his friends advised him not to, when upon which he hired David Sawyer to take his place, and he went to the Camp with him, and Sawyer was accepted of in his stead, and he gave him what wages he was entitled to which was about two months wages. In 1777 in Westminster he took the place of John Esterbrook who was drafted in Capt. Joel's company, Capt. Joel was from Leonston Mass. Marching Northampton Williamstown & Pownal into Bennington was in Bennington battle, he served two months and now does not recollect the time he marched nor the time he returned home. Previous to this in 1776 after the British had left Boston, he took the place of Mr. Stockwell of Boylston Mass. who was drafted for three months and marched under Capt. Shawen to Boston served the time out and engaged for two or three months more, not certain which, served the time out which was either five or six months, not certain which, and was waiter to Col. Dike, the whole of this period, he has one brother living in Harvard Mass. who is year and half older than the applicant - who is poor and is supported by the Town who was out with him part of the time, has not seen his brother for many years, he was living last he knew knows of no other person living who was in the service with him, he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, never had a written discharge.
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid
Jas. L. Hanks 2 nd Assistant Judge of Windham Co. Court Thomas Farnsworth

To the interrogatories prescribed by the war department he answers on oath.
1 was born in Harvard Mass in 1752
2 In my Bible where I put it down as my Mother told me.
3 in Westminster Mass since the war in Halifax when I now live
4 as I have already stated in my declaration.
5 Col. Dike Col. Haskell, and Maj. Goodman were the field officers
6 in the Dorchester regiment, when I marched to Bennington Maj.
7 I don't recollect their names but one of them was Col. Rice
8 Maj. Rand's horn was shot through the nose, and docked
9 I was his writer and with him in the action Genl. Stark
10 had the chief command - Col. Warner, Col. Bill Williams
11 was there after the Battle at Bennington was over I asked
12 permission to go on to the battle ground, and Maj. Rand told me
13 to go, and take his lantern and go to Brother Williams and get
14 it filled with rum, Maj. Rand & Williams were Brothers in
15 law
16 0 0
17 person Wood, Esqr Bullock Joseph Henry Esqr.
We Tho s H. Wood for years residing in the Town of Halifax and
Darius Bullock residing in the same Halifax hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Thomas Farnsworth who
has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we
believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is respected and
believed in the neighborhood where he resides to be a soldier
of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Jas. L. Stark 2 d assistant Judge of Windham County Court
Tho s H. Wood Darius Bullock
and I the said Jas. L. Stark do hereby declare my opinion after the in-
vestigation of the matter and after perusing the interrogatories prescribed by the
war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and served as he states. and I further certify that it appears to me that
Tho s H. Wood who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident
in Halifax and that Darius Bullock Esq, who has also signed the same as a
resident in the same Halifax is a credible person, and that their statement
is entitled to credit
Jas. L. Stark 2 d assistant Judge of Windham County Court
I hereby certify that Tho s Farnsworth the affiant from bodily in-
firmity is unable to attend court
Jas. L. Stark 2 d asst. Judge of W. C. Court
State of Vermont. Windham County Court Clerk's Office New France
September 12. A. D. 1832. I certify that the Hon. James L. Stark Esquire,
is one of the Assistant Judges of the County Court within and for the
County of Windham aforesaid, and that the above and within are
his signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal affixed the Seal of the said County Court on the day and
year above written -
James Elliot, Clerk.

Wann -
7 mo. pri 2333
elamans

11,038
BRIEF in the case of Thomas Farnsworth of Halifax in the State of Vermont (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? an Asst. Judge of C. Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes - from bodily infirmity unable to attend Court  3. How old is he? 79 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1774 — not stated Private Capt Noah Miles — as a Minute Man   1775 — # do Capt Com. Bemis taken sick & hired Pant. Danyer   1777 — 2 do Capt Jocelyn — Co 2 Dubuque   Previous to the latter? in 1776 — 8 3 Wait to Col. Dike — a Dubuque letter for Mr. Stockwell   engaged for — 2 or 3 more do Ditto —  
Mass 2
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bennington Battle — # enlisted for eight months  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Westminster — Mass 2 
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? only traditional evidence of two witnesses — one a Clergyman — Certified to be credible persons 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

August 1, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXX
SA-J/REL am
Thomas Farnsworth-S.22236
Mr. E. Morris Vail #907 Eddy Street San Francisco, California
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Captain Thomas Farnsworth, of Westminster, Massachusetts, later of Halifax, Vermont; also, records of Caleb Vail(Veal) and his son, Job, of Westchester or Dutchess County, New York.
There are no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a Caleb or a Job Vail, under any spelling of that surname. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.
It is suggested that as a possible means of obtaining information in regard to the military service of these soldiers, you apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city, who is custodian of military records.
You are furnished herein the record of Thomas Farnsworth, the only soldier of that name that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.22236, based upon the military service of that soldier.
Thomas Farnsworth was born in 1752, at Harvard, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Westminster, Massachusetts, in 1774, Thomas Farnsworth belong ed to a company of minute men commanded by Captain Noah Miles, and on the alarm at the time of the battle of Lexington marched in said company to Cambridge, where he enlisted for eight months in Captain Edward Benis' Massachusetts Company, was taken sick and after being ill for six weeks, was pronounced unfit for military duty, hired a substitute and returned to his home; he again enlisted in 1776, and served

Could not find of this name any officer of all kinds of spellings.
five or six months in Captain Thayer's(?) Company under Colonel Dike in the Massachusetts troops and acted as waiter to his colonel; he enlisted in 1777, served in Captain Joslin's Company under Major Rand in the Massachusetts troops and served as waiter to Major Rand, was in the battle of Bennington and served about two months. It is not shown that he served in any other capacity than private and waiter.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 22, 1832, while residing in Halifax, Windham County, Vermont.
He died August 10, 1836, place not stated.
There are no data as to the wife and children of Thomas Farnsworth.
In 1832, a brother of the soldier, one and one-half years older than he, was residing in Harvard, Massachusetts, his name was not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name and address of person paid in the case of the Revolutionary War soldier, Thomas Farnsworth(S.22236), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Thomas Farnsworth Certificate No.9633 Issued May 24, 1833 Rate, $23.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Vermont Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLIER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Rootstown
22 236 INVALID.
1909 Dec. 7 Hish. to Julia F. Soper UPM. 1915 Oct. 18 Hish. to Mrs. Eva F. Holleran V.P.M. 1938-Aug. 1- Hish. to E married rail. E.H.
File No. 22, 236
Thomas Harmsworth
Pr. Rev. 1925
Act: June 7 th 1894
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 190
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11.538
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Parnsworth which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? — no — V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service , and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no — VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ? — no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? none
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
‡QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

N 1 Rev Sec
Afton N.Y Oct. 24/1915
Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions
Will you kindly furnish me with the military record Thomas Farnsworth better known as Captain Farnsworth born in Harvard Mass., Oct 12, 1752 Married Anna Esterbrook Westminister Mass Nov 26, 1778 Died in Halifax Aug 10, 1836 He drew a pension at that place for years.
I wish to use this for the D. A. R. (Ancestral Pensions.)

Will you kindly give me all the family data that is recorded
Thanking you in advance for all favors I am Sincerely yours.
Mrs Eva F. Holleran Afton, Senango Co. N.Y.

Pension Bureau,
Dear Sir -
Please send me the war records of - Moses Farnsworth and Thomas Farnsworth, who were revolutionary soldiers. Moses Farnsworth, near Hampshire, State Papers, V. 14 (Rev. Rolls VI) p- 576- "Near Ipswich (Moses Farnsworth) in Capt. Isaac Farnell's Company Col. Sillay's Regt." Thomas Farnsworth,

New Hampshire State Papers- V.14-Rev. Rolls, V.1.) p. 34 Roll green Who marched from New Ipswich before daylight on the morning of April 20, 1775-"" V-15-(Rev. Rolls v.2.) page 355- Did these men draw a pension?
Family tradition says that Ebenezer Farnsworth did- he resided at Sugar Grove Pa- the last years of his life! Thanking you for the trouble, I am
Very Truly My dear Friend Ebenezer Farnsworth 627 Topeka Ave.
Topeka, Kansas.

Status gone in Rev. when he had to 4/18/27 and back
907 Eddy St. San Francisco. July 3, 1938.
Veterans' Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen;
I wonder if you can give me any information regarding the Revolutionary war record of Capt. Thomas Farnsworth, and especially why he was called Captain.
During the forepart of the war he was in Westminster, Mass.; but removed to Halifax, Vermont. I have seen some items regarding his record in Mass. but nothing that would seemingly justify calling him Captain.
Also have you anything about Caleb Vail (Veal) and/or Job Vail? They were in Westchester County or Dutchess Co. N.Y. Job was a miller and I think his father Caleb must have been also; and both might have been operating mills during the war; and I understand millers were exempt from active service, but if operating mills for the army they might have gotten mention somewhere.
Trusting you will be able to give me some information, I am,
Very truly yours
E. Morris Vail.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Thomas Farnsworth Cur. file 22.256
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1774 & 1775 Private John Hike ✓ Mass.   1776 2 mos. Benjamin ✓   1776 5 or 6 mos. Thayer Dike   1777 1 mos. Joslin ✓  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill Residence of soldier at enlistment, Newtonville Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug 22 1852 Residence at date of application, Fuller Middlesex Co. St. Age at date of application, born at Harvard Mass. in 1752 Remarks: died Aug. 10. 1836*
one brother 1 1/2 yrs older no name listed
* from a.B.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by George M Moore
Claim No. Nov. 29, 1909
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Thomas Farnsworth
Service _____ Rev
Additional Service _____
No _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No O.W. L.W. or R. as above except S.F. 22236

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Farnsworth, William GRADE Sergeant LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4131 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Apr. 1, 1790 To — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.